Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

In the early part of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing this disease.

The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the plaintiff's story. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma lawsuit payouts. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of the risk.

Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.

What is the cause of mesothelioma law suits?

Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in many different industries including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the area of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

A lack of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma the tumors can grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a long line of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.

A physical exam and a blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine the area under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma lawsuit after death is by far the most commonly encountered type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining of the abdomen is a less well-known type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only one percent of all cases.

The first signs include shortness of breath that becomes worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation which seals the area in order to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.

A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a myriad of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which use a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.

How Can I Get Help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their actions.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos used to be widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.

J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. The claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this constituted an infraction of the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J can proceed. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive compensation that you deserve.